CLEVELAND (AP) --
One year. That's all Juan Gonzalez wanted to prove he was
still one of baseball's best players.

And the Cleveland Indians were more than happy to give it
to him.

Gonzalez, limited to just 115 games last season in Detroit
because of injuries, signed a one-year, $10 million contract
with the Indians on Tuesday.

He'll fill the club's hole in right field and in the
cleanup spot created when Manny Ramirez left.

Gonzalez, who has had a history of back problems, passed a
team physical before signing the deal, which includes a $14
million mutual option for 2002 and a no-trade clause.

"Last year, I had a lot of health problems," said Gonzalez,
a two-time AL MVP. "My production went down a little bit
because of the injuries. But I'm going to come back and put up
great numbers. I'm excited."

So are the Indians, who lost 38 homers and 122 RBIs when
Ramirez signed a free agent contract with the Boston Red Sox
last month.

Gonzalez was a terror to Cleveland pitching as an opponent
in Jacobs Field. He batted .344 (45-for-131) with 12 homers
and 36 RBIs in 30 career games at the Jake. The 12 homers are
the most ever by a visiting player at the hitter's-friendly
ballpark.

It's scary to think what he might do in a full season
there. Sixty homers? 170 RBIs?

Scott Boras, Gonzalez's agent, said he did a double-take
when a study factoring in the ballclub's dimensions,
Cleveland's potent lineup and Gonzalez's production spit out
some scary numbers.

Asked how scary, Boras joked, "268 RBIs."

Boras was serious when he talked about Gonzalez's
commitment to making things work in Cleveland.

The 31-year-old outfielder struggled with injuries and an
uncertain future with the Tigers last season, and hit .289
with 22 homers and 67 RBIs -- less than half his average the
past four years.

"Juan's decision to come here was very, very simple," said
Boras, who said he negotiated with five other teams. "Juan
could have gotten three times the amount of guaranteed money
that he took from Cleveland. The reason he came here was to
play for a winner.

"He wanted to get back to an environment that allowed him
the opportunity to win, and an environment where he felt there
was a future. He wanted a winner."

Boras said the mutual option allows either side to get out
of the deal, and added it was unlikely he would negotiate a
new contract with the Indians during the season.

"It's like a life boat on an ocean cruiser," Boras said of
the option. "You don't use them very often, but it's nice to
know that they're there."

Gonzalez turned down an eight-year, $143 million extension
with the Tigers last year and then missed out on a big payday
as a free agent this winter while both Ramirez ($160 million)
and Alex Rodriguez ($252 million) got long-term deals.

By signing with the Indians, Gonzalez feels he'll have the
best chance to re-establish himself as one of the game's
premium talents. And if things work out just right, he could
finish his career with the Indians.

"You always here about players going for the extra dollar,"
Boras said. "What Juan Gonzalez will stand for is a player who
has turned down the most money to play in a place where he
wants to win and is also willing to put forth the greatest
amount of risk."

Before agreeing to the deal, the Indians made sure
Gonzalez's back wasn't risky. They gave him a full physical on
Tuesday and examined test results provided by Boras.

"His health and his back are non-issues," Indians general
manager John Hart said.

However, there were some other issues the club needed to
sort out prior to finalizing the deal.

Gonzalez has earned a reputation as being a moody player in
the clubhouse. And like other high-profile pro superstars,
Gonzalez often traveled with an entourage which sometimes
included a personal trainer, spiritual adviser and others.

"I can tell you that that has been addressed," Hart said.
"There will be no one in the clubhouse."

Boras said when Gonzalez approached him in August with a
list of places he wanted to play, the entourage issue was
discussed and put to rest.

"Juan will walk into the ballpark like every other player
and he'll leave the locker room like every other player,"
Boras said. "And anybody that's with him in his personal life
will be outside the ballpark. It's something Juan and I took
care of. A lot of things are said about Juan because he's
shy."

Except at the plate where the Indians are counting on him
to fill the offensive void left by Ramirez.

Gonzalez has never batted in a lineup like Cleveland's.
He'll fit nicely into the No. 4 slot behind Kenny Lofton, Omar
Vizquel and Roberto Alomar. He'll also be protected by Jim
Thome, Ellis Burks and Travis Fryman.

Playing at the Jake will help, too. He never got
comfortable at Detroit's new Comerica Park and reportedly
asked the Tigers to move the fences in.

"The dimensions are better, not like in Detroit," he said.
"It's too big for anyone. A lot of times, I hit the ball so
hard and it didn't jump out of the yard."

Cleveland gets to defer $2 million of his salary, paying $1
million each on April 1, 2002, and Oct. 1, 2002.

He would get a $500,000 bonus if he is elected AL MVP,
$300,000 for finishing second in the voting, $150,000 for
finishing third and $100,000 for fourth or fifth.

"This is a very important season for me," he said. "I want
to stay healthy, play hard inside the lines and everything
else will work out."